We live in a rapidly changing technological society that takes good design and the work of artists for granted. Society depends on artists and designers to enrich and enliven the lives of people whether as participants, as consumers, in art galleries or selecting well designed items for everyday use. In short, Art & Design helps learners become more aware of and be responsive to the world around them.
What can studying Art and Design achieve for young people?
The learning experiences in Art & Design present challenges to use imagination and develop specific knowledge and skills within a climate of creativity and innovation.
To achieve success, learners must demonstrate commitment and perseverance in developing and presenting their ideas and expression. They will make their own art and design work using a variety of different media and incorporate different visual elements such as colour, line and tone. They will also evaluate and appreciate how art impacts on society by talking and writing about artists and designers work and sometimes about their own work in context. Learners will be challenged to work both independently and in cooperative learning teams where they will develop their team-building skills.
S1
Course Overview Duration - 1 periods per week
Expressive Unit – DRAWING AND PAINTING - August-October S1 pupils will begin by working on an Expressive unit that develops basic drawing skills and teaches colour theory. They will learn how to mix secondary and tertiary colours and tints and shades. Pupils will complete the process in groups learning the importance of collaborating with others to create work. Pupils will also develop their media (paint) handling skills.
Design Unit – GRAPHIC DESIGN
October - December
In this unit, S1 pupils will be working on the Design area of the course. They will develop their knowledge and understanding of the Design process to create a piece of graphic design and apply it to a stamp face. Pupils will be given the opportunity to personalise the project with their own visual stimuli or pupils could use department resources to create a cities of the world theme.
Expressive Unit – ILLUSTRATION
December - March
Pupils will undertake their second expressive unit in the area of ILLUSTRATION. There is a focus on developing observational drawing skills in this unit and pupils will learn to analyse the work of the illustrator/artist Michael Craig Martin. Pupils will be expected to complete integrated critical work and relevant homework tasks as before.
Expressive unit - SCULPTURE
March - May
In the final phase of S1 pupils will work in 3 dimensions using clay. Pupils will learn how to create a thumb pot to use as the base for their clay head and will learn how to create features and to successfully join them to their clay out to create a final clay pot head sculpture. Pupil will consider the process they have gone through and give constructive criticism on their own and others work.
S2
Course Overview Duration - 3 periods per week
Expressive unit - PORTRAITURE
August - December
S2 pupils will begin by working on an Expressive unit that allows them to apply observation and recording skills developed in S1 (Still Life) to a new context. (Portraiture) They will learn how to work with a new media/technique (charcoal).
Design Unit- HEADWEAR (3D)
October - December
In Term 2, S2 pupils will be working on the Design area of the course. They will further develop their knowledge and understanding of the Design process (looked at in S1 Stamp design) to create a piece of headwear. Pupils will be given the opportunity to personalise the project with their own visual stimuli /brief. Pupils will discuss and write about examples of headwear and will evaluate their own design ideas/outcomes.
Expressive Unit - BUILT ENVIRONMENT (3D)
January - March
Pupils will undertake their second expressive unit in the area OF BUILT ENVIRONMENT. They will complete the same process of Research, Development and Outcome as previous and will work with simple materials such as cardboard and paper to create 3d buildings/structure.
Design Unit - GRAPHIC DESIGN
March - May
S2 pupils will be working on the Design area of the course at this point of the year. They will further develop their knowledge and understanding of the Design process (looked at in S2 Headwear) to create a piece of headwear. Pupils will be given the opportunity to personalise the project with their own visual stimuli /brief. Pupils will discuss and write about examples of headwear and will evaluate their own design ideas/outcomes.
S3
Course Overview Duration- 3 periods per week
Expressive Unit – STILL LIFE
August - October
S3 pupils will begin by working on an Expressive unit that allows them to apply observation and recording skills developed in S1 (Still Life) and S2 (Portraiture) to a more personalised theme. Having mind mapped/carried out discussion of ideas, they will select their own subject matter in relation to their theme and will learn how to further develop their observed drawing and media handling skills. As part of classwork and the homework programme, pupils will also study/analyse the work of the historic art movement, the Scottish Colourists.
Design Unit- BODY ADORNMENT (3D)
October - December
In Term 2, S3 pupils will be working on the Design area of the course. They will further develop their knowledge and understanding of the Design process and will focus on the research and initial development stage. Pupils will be given the opportunity to personalise the project with their own visual stimuli /brief. Specific related homework tasks will be issued throughout the Design process with a particular focus on critical work to build confidence/improve literacy skills.
Expressive Unit – STILL LIFE
January - March
Pupils will undertake their second expressive unit in the area OF STILL LIFE. S3 pupils will continue working on the Expressive unit they started in Block 1. The focus will be on the development stage and pupils will focus on their use of composition As part of classwork and the homework programme, pupils will also study/analyse the work of the historic art movement, the Scottish Colourists.
Design Unit - BODY ADORNMENT (3D)
MARCH - MAY
In Term 3, S3 pupils will be working on the Design area of the course. They will further develop their knowledge and understanding of the Design process and will focus on the development stage. Pupils will continue to refer to their own visual stimuli /brief/ created in block 2 and will use the initial idea as a starting point. Specific design related homework tasks will be issued throughout the Design process with a particular focus on critical work to build confidence/improve literacy skills. This will also be addressed during class time where pupils will continue to look at jewellery/body ornamentation by contemporary designers.
National 4 - Art and Design
What skills will my child develop?
- knowledge and understanding of artists, designers and their work
- understanding the factors that influence artists and designers
- experimenting with a variety of art and design materials
- practical skills in using materials, techniques and/or technology
- understanding artistic and cultural values, identities and ideas
- developing ideas
- researching and collating information from a range of sources
- understanding his/her own creative practice
- creativity and imaginative expression
- planning, critical thinking and problem-solving to find solutions to design briefs
- confidence in creative practice
- enjoyment in the arts
- communicating and representing ideas, thoughts and feelings visually
Expressive and Design Activities
- To gain National 4, learners must pass all Units
- Units are as pass or fail assessed by the school/centre (following SQA external quality assurance to meet national standards)
- Unit assessment (or ‘evidence of learning’) could take a variety of 2D or 3D forms. A portfolio may be prepared.
More information on this course can be found here
National 5 - Art and Design
Expressive and Design Activities
- To gain National 5, learners must pass both Units and the Course Assessment (the Portfolio and the Question Paper)
- Units are assessed by the school/centre (following SQA external quality assurance to meet national standards)
- Unit assessment (or ‘evidence of learning’) will show competence in each of the two Units in 2D or 3D and may include sketch books, extended writing, notes, group discussions, reviews, critiques
- The Course Assessment consists of the Portfolio (showing development and evaluation leading to one final piece of expressive art work and one final design solution) and the Question Paper (exam). These will be marked by the SQA.
More information on this course can be found here
Higher Art and Design
Skills Learners will be able to:
- communicate personal thoughts, feelings and ideas through the creative use of art and design materials, techniques and/or technology
- analyse a range of art and design practices
- critically reflect on the impact of external factors on artists and designers and their work
- plan, develop, produce and present creative art and design work
- develop personal creativity, using problem solving, critical thinking and reflective practice skills
Learners will be able to:
- develop knowledge of art and design practice
- experience a range of practical media handling skills in both expressive and design contexts
- exercise imagination and creativity
- analyse the factors influencing artists’ and designers’ work and practice
- explore how to visually
More information on this course can be found here
Advanced Higher Design
SCQF: level 7 (32 SCQF credit points)
Course code: C706 77
Mandatory Units
H7W0 77 Art and Design (Design): Design Studies
(Advanced Higher) 8 SCQF credit points
H7W1 77 Art and Design (Design): Design Enquiry
(Advanced Higher) 16 SCQF credit points
Course assessment 8 SCQF credit points
This Course includes eight SCQF credit points to allow additional time for
preparation for Course assessment. The Course assessment covers the added
value of the Course. Further information on the Course assessment is provided in
the Assessment section.
Recommended entry
Entry to this Course is at the discretion of the centre. However, learners would
normally be expected to have attained the skills, knowledge and understanding
required by the following or equivalent qualifications and/or experience:
- Higher Art and Design Course
Progression
This Course or its Units may provide progression to:
- other qualifications in art and design or related areas
- further study, employment and/or training
More information on this course can be found here
Advanced Higher Expressive
SCQF: level 7 (32 SCQF credit points)
Course code: C705 77
Mandatory Units
H7VX 77 Art and Design (Expressive):
Expressive Studies (Advanced Higher) 8 SCQF credit points
H7VY 77 Art and Design (Expressive):
Expressive Enquiry (Advanced Higher) 16 SCQF credit points
Course assessment 8 SCQF credit points
This Course includes eight SCQF credit points to allow additional time for preparation
for Course assessment. The Course assessment covers the added value of the
Course. Further information on the Course assessment is provided in the Assessment
section.
Recommended entry
Entry to this Course is at the discretion of the centre. However, learners would normally
be expected to have attained the skills, knowledge and understanding required by the
following or equivalent qualifications and/or experience:
- Higher Art and Design Course
Progression
This Course or its Units may provide progression to:
- other qualifications in art and design or related areas
- further study, employment and/or training
More information on this course can be found here
Higher Photography
SCQF: level 6 (24 SCQF credit points)
Course code: C755 76
Mandatory Units
H4KT 76 Photography: Image Making (Higher) 9 SCQF credit points
H4KV 76 Photography: Contextual Imagery (Higher) 9 SCQF credit points
Course assessment 6 SCQF credit points
This Course includes six SCQF credit points to allow additional time for preparation for
Course assessment. The Course assessment covers the added value of the Course.
Further information on the Course assessment is provided in the Assessment section.
Recommended entry
Entry to this Course is at the discretion of the centre. However, learners would normally
be expected to have attained the skills, knowledge and understanding required by the
following or equivalent qualifications and/or experience:
- relevant Photography Units (National 5 and above)
- National 5 Art and Design Course or relevant component Units
Progression
This Course or its Units may provide progression to:
- other qualifications in Photography, Art and Design or related areas
- further study, employment and/or training
More information on this course can be found here
How is the Art and Design framework structured?
- Art and Design is divided into level 3 and level 4 experiences and outcomes.
- Level 4 outcomes will prepare pupils for SQA National 4 and National 5 qualifications and beyond.
What are the features of effective learning and teaching in Art and Design?
- Personalisation and choice is built into all courses to keep interest levels high and support skills development.
- The range of practical and critical tasks, covering a variety of Art and Design areas encourage creativity, innovation and imagination in learners.
- A combination of independent, self-paced learning and collaboration/cooperation among learners to complete group based tasks.
How do we build on prior learning in Art and Design?
- Increasing challenging contexts develop learners’ practical skills and depth of understanding.
- Course content connects with learners’ experiences and interests in the real world.
What are the broad features of assessment in Art and Design?
- Assessment will focus on practical, problem-solving and collaborative activities.
- Other assessments will include short summative (written) approaches.
- Peer and self-assessment also play a significant part when progressing through the course.
- Formative assessment (oral and written feedback) by teacher.
Connections with other areas of the curriculum
- The development of problem solving skills provides links to Maths, Science and Technical subjects.
- The development of creative thinking is central to Art and Design and supports development in Expressive Arts subjects such as Drama and Music.
- Activities to support development of skills in literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing are embedded in activities throughout the course.
